Truss-rod clamp



June 17 1924. I 1,497,731

' w. w. MARSH. SR, ET AL 'muss Ron CLAMP Filed Feb. 27 1924 v v a /0 v F 7 6 7 x MARE/1J2:

Patented June 17, 1924.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' WALTER w. MARSI'I, sa, AND WALTER w. .MARSH, JR, or rrntn'rrroar; MARYLAND.

TRUSS-ROD CLAMP.

Application filed February 27, 1924. Serial No. 695,429. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WALTER WV. MARSH, Sn, and WALTER W. MARSH, J r., citizens of the United States, residing at Haleth'orp, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Truss-Rod Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved truss rod clamp, and specifically the kind of clamp which is used in securing a truss rod of an automobile in place for supporting the gear casing.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved, though simplified form of clamp of this character.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out or implied in the following details of description, in connection with the accompanying drawings in which.

Figure 1 is a front view of a pair of truss rod clamps combined with the truss rod and in position to support the gear casing, the latter being shown in broken lines.

Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the clamps in its clamping position around the gear casing or tubular extension of the gear casing, the latter being shown in section.

Referring to these drawings in detail, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, and in which the gear casing is indicated by the letter G; the invention consists in the combination of the truss rod 3 having the lower jaws L on its opposite ends, the' upper jaws. 5 being hinged, respectively, to the lower jaws, as indicated at 6, each of these jaws being substantially semi-circular, and each being provided with an apertured substantially radial extension or lug 7 through which; a bolt 10 extends, the lugs 7 having convex seats 9 on which the head and nut of a bolt 10 are seated re spectively. The apertures of the lugs 7 are The lower jaw 40f each clamp is formed with a depending lug 11 having a hole 12 therethrough for receiving the truss rod 3.

The main feature of distinction between this device and others which are known to to the inventors, is the hinge 6, this feature having, as one advantage, the fact that all parts of the combination shown in Figure 1 remain in a unitary structure (except the bolts 10) while the device is being applied tothe gear casing. In other words, this device has the advantage of being more easily applied to the gear casing than any of the several somewhat similar devices with which the inventor is acquainted.

In applying this device to the gear casing, the bolts 10 are first removed, the jaws 5 are swung upward and forward, the lower jaws are then placed in position to conform to the lower side of the gear casing, and may be held in place with one hand which grasps the truss rod while the other hand is employed to swing the upper jaws rearward over the gear casing. The hinges 6 are preferably provided with headed pintles, so as to avoid any possible losing or displacementof the pintles, at the same time making the hinge joints work somewhat tightly, so that the clamps will hold the truss rods weight while both hands are employed in placing the bolts 10 in the apertured lugs 7, and in tightening these bolts.

Referring again to the hinge joints 6, it will be seen that they are hidden (from casual or ordinary view) by the gear casing,

. and if there existed any tendency for these to come loose, there would be a constant danger of the truss rod falling, which might result in a serious accident. However, the connections 710, of each clamp, are in the rear of the gear casing, in plain view of the owner or attendant of the automobile when he is in the rear of the automobile, as for the purpose of looking after the supply of gasoline, the condition of the tires, the spare tire carriers and other accessories at the rear; so if one or both of the bolts should appear to be working loose, it would not only be easily and naturally detected, but is also comparatively of easy access for tightening the bolts.

With the foregoing description and explanation in view, it is believed that the utility and advantages of a device of this kind will be obvious to all who are familiar pair' of upper jaws hinged respectively to the lower aws, each of these jaws being substantially semi-circular so as to substantially form a clamping ring for embracing and clamping a cylindrical extension of the gear casing, and screw-threaded means to bring the jaws into clamping relation around the extensions of the gear casing.

2. The structure defined by claim 1, each upper and lower jaw being provided with apertured lugs and with convex seats, the said screw-threaded means comprising a bolt and nut whose working surfaces rest on said convex seats.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

WALTER W. MARSH, Sn. WALTER W. MARSH, J R. 

